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I’m Bob Larson. Proving he’s ‘smarter than the average bear’, Representative Dan Newhouse managed to get an amendment included in an appropriations bill that would deny funding for moving Grizzlies back into Washington state …

NEWHOUSE … “Essentially, what my amendment will accomplish, it would not provide any funds to the Department of Interior for the introduction of Grizzly Bears into the North Cascades.”

With regards to the bill that passed out of the House Appropriations Committee last week, Newhouse says it’s all about the process …

NEWHOUSE … “I want to make sure that my constituents have their voices heard before any decisions are made or actions are taken that the people of North-Central Washington are allowed to express how they feel about the introduction of Grizzlies and this, if we can get this into law, will allow them that opportunity to make their voices heard.”

But, Newhouse says this is just one single step …

NEWHOUSE … “That was a markup in committee. Now we have to, as you know, take it to the House floor for a vote by the entire body. Then it goes over to the Senate for their consideration. So, it’s a good first step. You know, our work isn’t done though until we can get this to the President’s desk.”

Newhouse says he’s heard loud and clear from his constituents on their opposition to moving Grizzlies to the North Cascades and they deserve to be heard by the federal government too.

His amendment also includes taking the Gray Wolf off the list of protected species by the end of fiscal year 2019.